Speaking from Co. Galway where he visited farmland affected by flooding, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) President Tim Cullinan said the devastation caused by the extremely wet weather is “an indictment of the authorities, right up to the top levels of Government”.

“Farmers have to deal with flooded land and farmyards. In some cases, they have had to move livestock because their sheds are flooded,” he said.

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Flooding in the Athlone region today (Sunday, March 1). Image source: AgriLand

“Farm families deserve better than this. Too many people in positions of authority have washed their hands of this issue.

Image source AgriLand Flooding in the Athlone region

Flooding in the Athlone region today (Sunday, March 1). Image source: AgriLand

“It seems that any level of flooding and disruption on farmland is considered acceptable, and there is no accountability,” he added.

Now we have some engineers and retired academics who want to create a river catchment that facilitates the flooding of farmland. IFA will oppose this cop-out tooth and nail.

He continued: “Any proposal that seeks to gloss over decades of mismanagement by drowning farmland will be resisted.

Image source AgriLand flooding in the Athlone region

Flooding in the Athlone region today (Sunday, March 1). Image source: AgriLand

“Farmers will not become the fall guys for those who are unwilling to co-ordinate a proper river management plan.”

Regional voice

IFA Connacht regional chairman Pat Murphy has said the widespread flooding of farmland is putting a serious strain on farmers. He has proposed a number of actions that he claims might provide “practical support to farmers”.

These proposed measures include the following:
  • Implementation of the farmyard relocation scheme provided by the Office of Public Works) OPW and administered by the Department of Agriculture;
  • Fast-tracking of relief works at pinch points, with increased funding;
  • Setting up of clinics by Teagasc in the worst-affected areas that would identify farmers who need fodder and set up a scheme to deliver the fodder;
  • Put in place support services to safeguard the mental health of those impacted by flooding.

He added: “These are the priorities at the moment to get us through this phase.

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The authorities responding to flooding in the Athlone region today (Sunday, March 1). Image source: AgriLand

“In the longer term, the authorities have to identify a co-ordinated plan that avoids the severe disruption that farmers and householders have had to endure.”